Vampire Weekend has been nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 2011 Grammy Awards for the group’s sophomore album Contra. This is the band’s first-ever Grammy nomination, so will they have beginner’s luck?

Today, Last.fm Trends looks at Vampire Weekend’s scrobbling and some Grammy history to see how they’re doing with fans, and if they’re in with a chance for the award.

On Last.fm, the band’s most popular tracks overall are from their self-titled debut, but Contra tracks such as “Cousins” have a good showing as well: they have an upward trend of weekly listeners, peaking just after their performance at the KROQ Almost Acoustic Christmas. However Vampire Weekend fares during the Grammys, the group’s nomination is sure to bring them to new ears.

Over the past few years it’s been more established acts that have gained the award: previous winners Phoenix were on their fourth album, whilst Radiohead and The White Stripes were on their seventh and sixth respectively. 2006 winners Gnarls Barkley showed that a zeitgeist-capturing debut could go the distance, however, so it’s just possible that Vampire Weekend’s second effort has the chops.

Last.fm Trends will be bringing you Grammy profiles and predictions over the next few weeks, right up until the Grammy Awards air date on February 13. Remember, you can tune in to the show itself on CBS at 8pm.